Aduana Prohibits Import Of Right Hand Drive Cars

Lambada · #1 10-07-2008, 02:41 AM

There appears to be a new Customs regulation (Norma 2-08) that vehicles with right hand drive can no longer be imported
Aduana prohibe importación de vehículos con el guía a la derecha

This could be of interest to potential DR residents thinking of containering their original cars from UK, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, East Timor, Fiji, India, Japan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Singapore, South Africa and Zimbabwe among others.

Reason given is that it is a risk for transit security (which when you consider all the other risks here has to make you chortle).

I'm not sure what they intend doing about right hand drives already on the road here - this could affect some veteran/vintage car enthusiasts.

windeguy · #2 10-07-2008, 10:37 AM

But wait, won't this will have a dramatic effect on the mailmen?

Oh, I'm sorry, I was thinking about a country where they delivered the mail into mail boxes at peoples houses and used right hand drive vehicles to do so. An alien concept here.

Mr. Lu · #3 10-07-2008, 12:16 PM

These vehicles are considered high quality and lower cost, though not always true. It's just different versions of the same car. For example Honda, Toyota etc. make cars for sale in Japan and then make cars for export. For example there is the Lexus IS series, but in Japan it was sold as the Altezza and in the US sold as the Lexus.

If you drive around SD you'll notice an increase in these cars around the city. Most times those importing the vehicles will switch the steering wheel from one side to another before they leave the docks or before they are sold. But some guys rather drive them as is. Some say the emission standards of the vehicles, steering regulations and specs of the cars are stricter in the US therefore affecting the performance, making people want the Japanese versions. There are other reasons for these cars, according to a guy I knew, who lived in Japan brokering export deals for dealers interested in these cars.

As to who this will affect, most likely street racers and performance drivers. Importing cars from Japan with this is mind has become the norm in recent years. Its the same for Civics, Lancers, Accords, Corollas etc....

Unless you are really into cars, car culture or car details this news will barely affect you....

Mr. Lu

rubio_higuey · #4 10-07-2008, 12:56 PM

Right-hand drive cars are mainly imported by car dealers, who change the wheel to the left (costs around US$1,000 to do it and 1-2 days of time). I am sure they will find a way around this, as they do find their way around paying the full exorbitant import taxes.

This will affect mainly individual importers who buy from car brokers over the Internet and have the cars shipped to DR. There was one Internet broker from Japan whose ad I saw on DR1. So it will be private importers who take the full hit, car dealers will most likely go about their business as usual.

dv8 · #5 10-07-2008, 04:11 PM

thanks god! i am driving one of those (yes, i have a license now), honda capa (re-named by me "honda kupa" - kupa means sh*t in polish). can't see kupa in the mirrors - yes, i tried, apparently they are made to fit right hand drive. can't swich darn light/wipers/directions without switching something else instead (directionals and lights are on the right, wipers on the left, all a rebours).

kudos to all who can drive those converted cars - i can't. but then - i've only had a license for 5 days

ps the car is not mine, belongs to my mother in law...

Lambada · #6 10-07-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Lu

Unless you are really into cars, car culture or car details this news will barely affect you....

Unless you're the British new expat whose right hand drive car is currently in a container on the high seas being shipped here...............

montreal · #7 10-07-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambada

Unless you're the British new expat whose right hand drive car is currently in a container on the high seas being shipped here...............

People into collectionables be also be affected. Those British antiques...

Conchman · #8 10-07-2008, 08:54 PM

instead of focussing on enforcing existing laws, these beauracrats come up with useless new laws. Ridiculous.

Chirimoya · #9 10-07-2008, 09:34 PM

Exactly! Like heavily tinted windows: now that I'm using a bicycle as a mode of transport I realise just how dangerous it is not being able to see the driver. This is illegal but not enforced.

Lambada · #10 10-08-2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conchman

instead of focussing on enforcing existing laws, these beauracrats come up with useless new laws. Ridiculous.

As a way of augmenting salaries by payments under the counter. The next thing will be AMET removing right hand drive cars from their owners unless a hefty compensation is paid. Whether it is legal or not, on the statute book or not, this new Norma lends itself to that sort of misinterpretation. I presume it is intended to keep the lesser functionaries busy devising extortion plans so they don't see the gaping holes in their politicians policies?